Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones will sooner or later face the mysterious category of “Other Files” in the Storage section, which can take from several hundred megabytes to tens of gigabytes, but the system does not offer explicit tools to clean it. What is hidden under this term? Why do these files accumulate even after regular cache cleaning? And most importantly, how to delete them without disrupting the smartphone?
In this article, we will look at all the possible causes of Other Files, from system logs to remnants of remote applications, and provide step-by-step cleaning instructions, both manually and with third-party tools, and you will learn which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched so as not to encounter errors in the MIUI.
Particular attention will be paid to hidden folders and cache of system processes, which often go unnoticed, but can occupy up to three hours. 30% All methods are tested on current versions of the "Other Files" MIUI 14/15 and adapted for models from Redmi Note 10 Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
What are “Other Files” in Xiaomi Storage and Why Do They Show Up?
The Other Files category (or Other Files in English) is a common container for data that the system cannot categorize as standard: photos, videos, audio, documents or applications, and includes anything that does not automatically classify, including:
- 📁 System process cache (MIUI, Google Services, background tasks).
- 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications (Settings, Temporary Files, Databases).
- 📜 Logs and error dumps (created when crashes, updates, diagnostics).
- 🔄 Update files (remain after installing firmware or security patches).
- 🖥️ Hidden folders of user data (e.g..thumbnails,.data).
The main problem is that MIUI doesn’t provide built-in tools for detailed analysis of this category, it just shows the total volume without disclosing the composition, and “Other Files” can take anywhere from 1 to 15+ GB — especially on devices that have been in use for more than a year without resetting to factory settings.
Why are they accumulating?
- 🔄 Automatic updates: After installing firmware, temporary files are often not deleted.
- 📱 Background activity of applications: Even after the program is closed, their processes can leave traces.
- 🛠️ System errors: when failures, logs are created that do not clear themselves.
- 🗃️ Misremoving apps: Many “cleaners” don’t remove associated files.
How to Check What’s in the “Other Files”
Before we start cleaning, we need to understand what kind of data is being stored in this category, and there are several methods for doing this, from built-in tools to third-party utilities.
Method 1: Integrated MIUI Storage Analyzer
The easiest way is to use a standard tool:
- Open the Settings → Storage.
- Click on the category "Other Files".
- The system will show the distribution by folder (for example, Download, DCIM, Android).
Limitation: MIUI does not display hidden folders (those that start with a dot), which are often the ones that contain the main debris.
Method 2: Root Explorer (for Advanced)
If you have root access, use Root Explorer or Solid Explorer:
- 🔍 Go to the root directory (/).
- 📂 Look for folders with names.cache,.log,.tmp, lost.dir.
- 📊 Check the folder size. /data/log, /data/local/tmp.
⚠️ Note: Deleting files from system folders without root can cause crashes. /system or /vendor!
Method 3: Third-party analyzers (without root)
Apps like Files by Google, SD Maid, or Storage Analyzer can show a more detailed picture:
- 📊 SD Maid finds remnants of deleted applications (orphaned files).
- 🗃️ Storage Analyzer visualizes occupied space by folders.
- 🧹 Files by Google offers cache and duplicate cleaning.
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Before using third-party analyzers, turn off battery optimization for them in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Battery Optimization. This will allow them to work in the background.
Safe Ways to Clean Other Files Without Root
If you don't have root access, don't despair: most junk files can be deleted by standard means or with free utilities, but the main thing is to follow the instructions and not delete system data.
Method 1: Cleaning the cache of system applications
Many “Other Files” are cache from Google Play Services, MIUI System and other system processes to remove:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Sort by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
- Select apps with large cache (e.g. Google Play Services, Mi Video, Gallery).
- Click on “Clear Cache” (not data!).
This method can release anywhere from 500MB to 2-3GB, depending on the time of the last cleaning.
Method 2: Delete temporary update files
Once you install firmware or security patches, you can leave temporary files in /cache to delete:
- 📱 Reset the phone to Restore Mode (clip the Power). + Loudness up).
- 🔄 Select Wipe Cache Partition (not Wipe Data!).
- 🔙 Reset the device.
This will delete all temporary update files, but will not affect user data.
Method 3: Using Files by Google
Files by Google has a built-in garbage cleaner tool:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Open the "Cleanup" tab.
- Select “Unnecessary Files” and “Temporary Application Files”.
- Confirm removal.
The utility finds up to 1-1.5 GB of unnecessary data, including APK residues and thumbnail cache.
Make a backup copy of important data|Check the vacant space (should be available) ≥10%)|Close all background applications|Disable battery optimization for analyzers-->
Cleaning “Other Files” with root access: advanced methods
If you have root rights, you can remove a lot more debris, including system logs and kernel cache, but this method requires caution: wrong actions can lead to data loss or system failures.
Method 1: Removal of logs and dumps
System logs (.log,.dump) take up a lot of space, but are rarely needed by the average user.
- Go to /data/log.
- Delete all files with the extensions.log,.dump,.trace.
- Clear the /data/anr (error tracker) and /data/tombstones (failure dumps) folders.
This can free up from 200MB to 1GB, depending on the activity of the device.
Method 2: Cleaning the Dalvik cache and ART
The cache of the Android virtual machine (Dalvik/ART cache) accumulates over time and can take up to 500 MB-1 GB.
- Open Root Explorer and go to /data/dalvik-cache.
- Delete all files (they will be restored automatically the next time you run the application).
- Reset the device.
⚠️ Note: After this procedure, the first turn on of the phone will take longer, as the system will restore the cache.
Method 3: Removing Remnants of Remote Applications
When you delete programs, they often leave their settings and data in /data/data and /data/app-lib folders.
- 🔍 Use it. SD Maid (partition of CorpseFinder).
- 🗑️ Manually check the folders. /data/data For the presence of folders with names of remote applications.
This will free up up to 500MB of space, especially if you install and uninstall programs frequently.
What happens if you delete system files by mistake?
How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future
Regular cleaning is good, but it's much more effective at preventing the accumulation of garbage. Here are some proven ways to do this:
- 🔄 Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Update the system if you don't have enough space.
- 📱 Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
- 🗑️ Use the “Lite” versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) that take up less space.
- 📂 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks) through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
- 🔍 Check the storage with an analyzer (such as Storage Analyzer) once a month.
It is also worth turning off the creation of thumbnails for the gallery, since the folder.thumbnails can take up to 1-2 GB:
- Open the gallery.
- Go to Settings. → Additionally.
- Turn off the option “Create miniatures”.
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Regularly cleaning the cache and turning off background processes can reduce the volume of “Other Files” by 30-50% in a month.
Frequent cleaning errors and how to avoid them
Many users make mistakes in trying to make room that cause data loss or unstable smartphone performance, and the most common are:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Delete files from /system | Bootloop Failure, Loss of Functions | Don’t touch the system partition without root and structure knowledge |
| Cleaning Application Data (not Cache) | Resetting settings, loss of accounts | Delete only the cache, not the data (Clear Data) |
| Using “cleaners” with aggressive settings | Delete the necessary files, slow down the work | Check what exactly the program is removing. |
| Removing the Android folder manually | Application data loss, startup errors | Clean only the cache inside the folder, not the folder itself. |
| Interrupt cleaning in Recovery | Damage to the file system | Do not turn off your phone during the process. |
If the phone is running slower or there are errors after cleaning, try:
- Reset the device.
- Check the free space (should be at least 10% of the total).
- Restore deleted data from backup (if any).